In too much pain to exercise

I agree with getting a really good pair of shoes or getting some cushioning insoles for the shoes you have. It is MUCH harder than one might think to stand in one spot all day.

Also, I recommend fidgeting. Do small movements in your limbs and torso throughout the day, and do some bigger stretches on your breaks. This will help relieve the stiffness in your body and reduce the pain.

Some examples:

Wiggle your toes. Stand on your tiptoes, then lower to your heels. Do one foot at a time or hold onto something if you have trouble balancing like I do. While standing, kick up your toe on one foot to stretch the calf. Balance on one foot and bring the other knee up as though you were climbing a really steep stair. Pull in/stiffen up your abdomen, relax. Shrug your shoulders back & forth & up & down. Stretch your arms forward, back, up, down. Flex & clench your hands. Flex & relax your arms (like bicep curls, but no weights).

Don't worry about "reps" - this isn't really exercise, it's just keeping things from getting stiff and painful. Do it between customers; if you feel really self conscious you can focus on the lower body or the tummy, where the customers won't really see.

Everyone's advice here is great. Look for better shoes or some inserts. As someone who was on their feet a lot for work, I remember how awful that felt. Make sure you have a cushiony mat to stand on too.

I truly recommend trying to workout before work (more than just walking, if you can) and then still walk as much as you comfortably can after work, and/or trying to keep you feet up and do other exercises while keeping your feet rested. The more weight you lose the better your feet will feel as well, so keep it up!

As another person with more than a hundred pounds to lose I so understand!!! I could only walk a quarter mile and back my first walk and it caused me pain. I decided that no matter how small it was a start. I got a great pair of walking shoes (new balance has good walking shoes in wide widths) and I did what I could. I was even putting an ice pack on one foot right after walking to help with inflammation. I'm now up to a mile and a half four times a week. So I suggest: Pamper yourself with great shoes, start small but determined, time yourself and reward yourself for shaving time off your walk (mph). Remember, even ten minutes of actual cardio is helpful. At work, get a mat for under your feet and move around as much as possible to keep the blood flowing. Your doctor might recommend some compression hosiery to keep the circulation going well. When you get home, instead of concentrating on a second walk, look for excersizes that can be done to build strength in your upper body while you lay on your back with your feet slightly elevated.Be good to yourself, that's what this is about!

CRAFTY_LOSER
Posts:
801
3/27/12 7:56 A

I'm on my feet all day as well so I feel your pain! As others have said, better shoes is the big thing. You need to find something that will support you. I've finally found a really good pair of shoes that do the job. I also exercise before work (about 40 minutes of cradio...something like Zumba or cardio kickboxing). Even if my feet don't hurt after work, I'm usually worn out because I'm up early in the morning (5:15). So yeah. It was tough getting use to working out like that in the morning but it makes me feel so much better after I do it.

You need better shoes, try some inserts and ake sure they are providing you with a matt to stand on. Once you continue to lose weight it'll get easier. I used to work at a front desk at a hotel so I feel your pain

MISTYMOONLIGHT1
Posts:
27
3/26/12 9:26 P

I work at Wal-Mart as a cashier, I walk my dogs in the morning and twice more after I get home from work. I am just at my wits end because I feel like I am unable to exercise enough to lose weight.

Can you get better shoes, or cushiony inserts for your shoes? That will help a little.

MISTYMOONLIGHT1
Posts:
27
3/26/12 8:28 P

I work an average of 7 hours a day, most of which I spend standing on my feet and by the end of the work day, my feet hurt so much that I can hardly move let alone exercise. This is really starting to frustrate me because I have two sweet dogs waiting at home for me and I enjoy taking them for their daily walks plus I want to get my daily Wii Fit Plus workout in but my am unable due to my feet hurting so bad. If there is anyone that can offer any advice, I would be eternally grateful. Thank you and God bless.

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